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From Crisis To Confiscation - Where Do I Store My Wealth?

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Submitted by Jeff Thomas via InternationalMan.com,

International diversification of wealth (no matter how large or small) can save your economic freedom. Although most of our readers thoroughly understand this concept, one of the most oft-heard concerns is that, by offshoring assets, one may not be able to get to them as easily as they now can. Here’s the response to that, and some practical advice on what you can do to protect yourself.

Let’s say you presently regard yourself as being economically diversified. You own stocks and bonds, you have some cash, you have a retirement fund and you have a bit of gold stuffed away at home. On the surface, it would seem that you’re covered.

Trouble is, you have all your wealth in one jurisdiction, and should that jurisdiction find itself in an economic crisis, all that “diversification” will be seriously at risk.

Of course, it’s human nature for us to want to keep our wealth close at hand. It feels more secure than having it miles away from us. We tend to follow this concept even though we’re well aware that to have our wealth really close (i.e., on our person) we would be asking to have someone with a gun take it away.

Although we understand this, we somehow manage to convince ourselves that our own government, should they decide that they wish to get their hands on our wealth, is less of a threat to us than some thief. If we’re being really truthful with ourselves, governments pose a greater threat than the average thief, as they can steal legally.

Confiscations and Bubbles

In recent years, the governments of the US (in 2010), Canada (in 2013) and the EU (in 2014) have passed bail-in legislation, allowing the confiscation of deposits in bank accounts. When confiscation does occur, I believe it will happen without warning, as it did in Cyprus. One day, you wake up and your money is gone. What can you do? Nothing. It’s legal.

But you may still be all right, since you’re diversified. How about your retirement fund? Well, both the US and EU have announced that, should the investments of your fund be deemed to be at risk, the government will ensure that you will not lose your money, by requiring that your fund be heavily invested in government Treasury bonds, which are guaranteed. However, should there be an economic crisis, that guarantee will quickly go south.

Again, when this happens, it will happen suddenly, without warning.

Well, how about those stocks and bonds? You broker assures you that he has wisely invested your money in a variety of stocks and bonds and he declares that your investment is therefore diversified.

Trouble is, the bond and stock markets are presently in the greatest bubbles the world has ever seen. Even a minor crisis can put a pin to those bubbles without warning.

In actual fact, the only investment you have that’s not at risk from a financial crisis is the gold you have at home. It will actually benefit from a crisis. Precious metals have been described as the only investment today that is not concurrently someone else’s liability, and this is quite true.

In actual fact, your bank accounts, retirement fund, stocks and bonds are not diversified at all. They are, in fact, totally at risk, should you reside in one of the above jurisdictions.

Crises and Complications

But that, of course, hinges entirely on whether a crisis may occur in the future. Unfortunately, those jurisdictions are all experiencing major debt problems. The US in particular is in the greatest level of debt the world has ever seen.

The EU owes less but is also more economically fragile and is already popping its buttons. The US will follow and its neighbour, Canada, will be pulled down with it. That’s why they’ve all passed bail-in legislation, so that they can use your wealth in a last ditch effort to buy a bit of time on the way down.

Not a very promising situation. So, will everyone go down with the ship? Not at all. There will be those who recognise that “keeping the wealth close” is not the most important aspect of retaining wealth.

Internationalisation: The practice of spreading one’s self both physically and economically over several jurisdictions in order to avoid being controlled or victimised by any one jurisdiction.

Internationalisation is not merely sending wealth offshore, it is the art of studying those jurisdictions in the world that, at any given moment, have no confiscation legislation, have a reputation for political stability and have firm non-intrusive national policies.

Internationalisation and Diversification

Those countries whose governments stay out of your bank account, stay out of your retirement fund and stay out of your other investments to the greatest degree are invariably the safest places for your wealth. Although there are no guarantees, these jurisdictions are less likely to go after your wealth and will be the last to do so, even if other jurisdictions have taken all you have.

So, is the “keeping the wealth close” idea valueless? Not strictly, no. Someone in Australia might very sensibly choose Singapore or Hong Kong as his first choice for internationalising. Someone in Europe would be likely to make Switzerland his first pick.

In the Western Hemisphere, the British Virgin Islands (BVI), the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas are top choices. A one-hour flight from Miami provides a far less rapacious government, in addition to true diversification.

The greater the level of wealth, the more diversified the investor will want to be. Those who diversify into Switzerland, Singapore and BVI will increase their safety level beyond those who have utilised only one or two locations.

Today, those who are living in a jurisdiction that may, in the near future, be looking at a national economic crisis at home, should regard any wealth in banks to be sacrificial, i.e., that it might very well be swallowed up soon.

So, the first concern is to get the wealth out. But what then? Aren’t overseas banks being threatened as well? Well, yes, they are. Although they’re subject to local laws, rather than the laws of the EU, US or Canada, many of those banks are being threatened by those countries and are under pressure.

So, whilst they represent a very definite step away from risk, they cannot maximise that safety. Therefore, the second step is, as much as possible, to transfer the wealth into a form that is difficult (or impossible) for other governments to confiscate.

The two ideals are precious metals and real estate. For any government, even a powerful one, to attempt to confiscate real estate in another country is an act of war.

Hence, if the EU were to attempt to confiscate land in, say, Hong Kong, it would be an act of war against China. If the US were to attempt to confiscate land in, say, the Cayman Islands, it would be an act of war against its closest ally, the UK. Possible? Yes. Likely? Very far from it.

The other investment, precious metals, tends to be off the radar from reporting requirements for tax purposes. It additionally has the advantage of being liquid. Bullion can be sold quickly and is therefore the ideal for emergency purposes.

The ideal, of course, is to diversify, so a balance of bullion and real estate are advised. Cash, privately held (again offshore), should be part of the mix. If you have the expertise to diversify further into fine art and other collectibles, so much the better.

Much of the world has gone on a massive spending spree and has, in effect, used a credit card to do so. Soon, that bill will need to be paid and the jurisdictions that are in debt will unquestionably be revealed to be insolvent.

The economic crisis, when it hits, will be sudden and will be devastating. Everyone in those jurisdictions will be negatively impacted, but those who have internationalised their wealth will fare best. When the dust settles, they will be the ones who are in place to recover and rebuild.

 

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Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:10 | 6437248 Publicus
Publicus's picture

Wealth is but an illusion. People unchained by money are wealth itself.

Print money to fund startup/jobs, then cancel excess money that pooled at the hands of the few.

Rinse, repeat.

You can be who you want to be. Acheive what you want to acheive.

 

"The world is desperately imperfect. Even if a quarter of the working people were engrossed in new thoughts and inventions and lived off the others, humanity would still gain tremendously thanks to the constant stream of inventions and intellectual work emerging from this horde of people striving upward."

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:14 | 6437262 CrazyCooter
CrazyCooter's picture

Other than getting out of debt, I spend my dough on tangible quality durable products (vaccum sealers, guns, knives, tools, older low mileage vehicles, etc) and my grey matter.

When this fucker resets the rules are going to change and the only way to win is to be out of debt and/or an insider.

If I make it to the afterlife as a free man eating three hots, sleeping in a warm cot, and shitting in a flushing pot, I will probably call that a winner.

Regards,

Cooter

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:57 | 6437538 Debt-Is-Not-Money
Debt-Is-Not-Money's picture

Loose shoes,

tight pussy, and

a warm place to take a shit.

Where have I heard this before...?

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 22:41 | 6437810 PlayMoney
PlayMoney's picture

Possibly outside my window last night?

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:15 | 6437268 Normalcy Bias
Normalcy Bias's picture

Boat. Accident.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 22:14 | 6437756 e_goldstein
e_goldstein's picture

Tragic.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:17 | 6437271 bad craziness
bad craziness's picture

Just go here:

arxinternational.com

and here:

nzbd.com

problem solved!

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:18 | 6437277 coast
coast's picture

This subject hits home for me because it is what I have been thinking alot about lately.   Here are my thoughts.  Because of the evil death heart of those who are temporarily in control will do anything to keep the people down. WW3 with nukes even... Keep that in mind as I continue.  I think they will make gold and silver illegal as soon as they lose control over the price manipulation.  I do believe tho, that if you find that short window to sell, you might be ok...Altho, then you get dollars, which could be a problem also.  IMO there is no safe haven whatsover...If you have lotsa precious metals, I would get a couple acres out of the city,  learn or let others stay with you who do know things such as basic medical, firearms, food, water source etc.   I also think that China promotes their citizens to buy gold because they plan on confiscating it also...Maybe I am wrong, but my theory is no far off base.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:33 | 6437311 Oldwood
Oldwood's picture

First they seek irrefutable control, and then set about convincing their subjects that they have never been more free.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:37 | 6437326 squid
squid's picture

Coast.....

 

You have to stand in front of the mirror and read your own message to yourself.

 

Is there a possibility that you are right?...Or are you just rationalizing to yourself for doing nothing?

 

That is for you to decide.

 

Squid

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:28 | 6437449 indygo55
indygo55's picture

I think China wants their people to own gold because the Chinese goverment is scared of the masses. They are preparing them for what is coming. It is a sign that they believe gold is going up in a big way. If the Chinese economy goes down, and we all think it and others will do that, then the people will still have retained some wealth. And if the stupid Westerners have no gold and the value of gold is again restored if not skyrocketed to the moon, then who wins? And who looses?

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:56 | 6437539 oldmanofthesee
oldmanofthesee's picture

Don't know why all down arrows, coast?

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 22:08 | 6437740 Trucker Glock
Trucker Glock's picture

Haven't seen stripes and star like that in a long time.  Phased out in '92 or so?

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 23:48 | 6437952 lasvegaspersona
lasvegaspersona's picture

When I was at a gold store in the middle of China there were no officials and no manes being taken, all cash deals.

I think China may realize that gold in the hands of citizens is as good as in the hands of government. It is a solid form of capital and the private sector can manage that risk better than the gov. Who really knows but if they were planning confiscation they did not seem to be doing the leg work very well.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:23 | 6437281 22winmag
22winmag's picture

You know where my "wealth" is stored... 100-can cases of sardines, vacuum-packed kilo bricks of rice and other grains, and 10.5 liter cases of booze.

 

My "diversification" consists of multiple locations, a healthy dose of gold, guns, ammo, and silver, along with a rash of boating accidents.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:34 | 6437317 Oldwood
Oldwood's picture

The problem is remembering where you put it all.

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 00:24 | 6438012 Rakshas
Rakshas's picture

.....like any other paranoid autistic squirrel I simply cannot remember all the holes that I've buried my nuts in ....... I'm sure it made perfect sense to me at the time but........ oh look nuts.....

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 02:36 | 6438165 Dakota Kid
Dakota Kid's picture

Rakshas

"I simply cannot remember all the holes that I've buried my nuts in ....... "

Sorry, but I found that funny.

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 21:29 | 6441823 mkhs
mkhs's picture

If your burying the nuts, your doing it wrong.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:31 | 6437451 indygo55
indygo55's picture

Sounds like you have this thing under control. Me too. Honestly I don't know what else to do if I can't move. I am already in a place that I think is pretty safe, not urban but not too far off the beaten path. A place where roaming zombies won't go, at least in the beginning. 

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:57 | 6437544 DirkDiggler11
DirkDiggler11's picture

I'm with you 22Winmag on everything but the sardines. Fuck, I will take Vienna sausages, Beannie Weenies, and even potted meat over the damn sardines.

The stray cats alone will follow you around like the Pied Piper after eating a case of sardines.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:46 | 6437598 logicalman
logicalman's picture

Those little fishy fuckers are full of good stuff - protein, omega 3s, calcium.

Fortunately for me, I like 'em.

Edit - forgot vitamin D

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 03:49 | 6438221 dreadnaught
dreadnaught's picture

and Cessium...if from Pacific

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 22:23 | 6437771 Latitude25
Latitude25's picture

Stray cats taste just like chicken in stir fly lice.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:02 | 6437569 dirtscratcher
dirtscratcher's picture

Geez Louise!!  ZH'ers are the absolute worst sailors ever! Has anybody here gone boating and DIDN'T have an accident?? Next time one of you guys goes boating, let me know; I plan to rent some scuba gear, then retire.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:20 | 6437284 ali-ali-al-qomfri
ali-ali-al-qomfri's picture

1) lake bottoms

2) underneath the bed

3) in a mason jar behind the shed

4) (i'm not giving away any more secrets)

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:31 | 6437309 JohninMK
JohninMK's picture

In something which is a Faraday cage, e.g. metal container. How about the spare space in that old PC?

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:59 | 6437382 knukles
knukles's picture

I got a Progressive friend who's very PC.  Lots of empty space in his head, but I can't keep track of him at all times.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:22 | 6437288 CHC
CHC's picture

If everything goes to hell - everyone is assuming #1 that your 'money' will still be available in a foreign entity - even just off shore.  #2 that you'll be allowed physically to leave the United States.  The tentacles of the U.S. government are many and massive. 

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:30 | 6437305 squid
squid's picture

This is very true. Do not underestimate the desparate moves the beast will make in order to preserve itself.

 

The best slaves think they're free.

 

Squid

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:21 | 6437622 greenskeeper carl
greenskeeper carl's picture

That's the point I keep trying to make about building a giant wall on the southern border. If they actually do that , and really make it secure , it will be just as effective at keeping you in.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:22 | 6437290 Al Capowned
Al Capowned's picture

In actual fact, the only investment you have that’s not at risk from a financial crisis is the gold you have at home"

Has the author not heard of Bitcoin? Bitcoin can be stored way easier than gold, it can even be stored in your brain

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:42 | 6437342 Latitude25
Latitude25's picture

Bitcoin has not stood the test of time.  It is too new and therefore a gamble.  Plus it can go to ZERO just like any other paper or digital asset.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:06 | 6437403 cigarEngineer
cigarEngineer's picture

There are risks with each mode. It is important to not disregard entirely a very good solution because of that risk. You are protecting against a diverse set of risks, and Bitcoin is one of the most liquid means of payment in the world. The risks against which you are protecting may surprise you when they finally come, so keep an open mind. Plus, crisis doesn't hit all areas at once; it is usually concentrated in isolated pockets, which allows room for maneuvering. Diversifying into Bitcoin is being nimble to take advantage of that.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:08 | 6437406 Latitude25
Latitude25's picture

Sure maybe a very small allocation.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 23:09 | 6437881 mkkby
mkkby's picture

Has anyone actually tested CASHING OUT of bitcoin?  I didn't think so.

Like all scams, it's very easy to buy in, but a bitch to get out.  You are relying on friendly banks to do the exhange.  Even in non emergency times, that is problematic.

Fuck bitcoin.

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 00:47 | 6438045 38BWD22
38BWD22's picture

 

 

You can buy gold from several suppliers with your Bitcoin.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:03 | 6437395 tarabel
tarabel's picture

 

 

Honestly, I fail to see any difference between bitcoin and any other fiat means of exchange. Apart from the store of value it supposedly represents, does it have any intrinsic worth?

How is it created? It is "mined", but in this case the mining is done through a series of useless make-work computer calculations that are largely centered around documenting the creation and subsequent trail of bitcon itself. It's like being paid to balance your checkbook.

If all that computational activity was being spent on some laudable purpose such as SETI or mapping genomes or anything that might actually add some value to the world, I might think differently. As it stands, however, it is a wildly swinging privately-issued fiat that has one value today and some greatly different value tomorrow. This may make it a good (or bad) investment but it does not make it a reliable store of value. Especially in a time of collapsing networks.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:00 | 6437557 plane jain
plane jain's picture

Don't care much either way, but AFAIK bitcoin is not based on any given government remaining solvent.

That seems like a plus.

I'm actually a little surprised we don't have multiple corporate currencies at this point.

Bitcoin makes as much sense as dog teeth.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:02 | 6437570 DirkDiggler11
DirkDiggler11's picture

Bitcoin = "Idiot Magnet"
P.T. Barnum himself would have loved to have been credited with inventing ShitCoin.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:20 | 6437617 logicalman
logicalman's picture

Not having all your eggs in one basket is likely a good idea.

Relying on any single strategy would seem to be just about the worst.

For me, the big down of BC is its reliance on an active and uncontrolled internet.

 

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 22:08 | 6437735 Captain Kink
Captain Kink's picture

What happens to your Bitcoin when the grid goes down?

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 13:10 | 6439575 RedDwarf
RedDwarf's picture

So many wrong things in your post.

First money is anything enough people are willing to accept to overcome the double coincidence of wants problem of barter.  That is it, full stop.  Some things are better suited to be money than others based on their intrinsic PROPERTIES (is it fungible, is it scarce, is it divisible, it is durable, etc), but money, like the internet, is basicallya protocol.  It is subject to network effects, the more people willing to accept it the more valuable it is likely to be seen.

Second 'fiat' means 'by decree'.  Bitcoin is not fiat money because no government is putting a gun to people's heads saying 'this is money'.  The private bank notes printed by banks before 1913 were not fiat money either.  The coins of today or any government on the other hand are physical but also fiat.  Get it through your thick head that fiat money is at the point of a gun.  Accept this as money or else, that is 'fiat' money.

Third, gold does not have 'intrinsic worth'.  That is a ridiculous statement that only someone steeped in rank magical thinking can make.  Value is the worth ascribed to something by someone.  Price is how that is expressed.  It is subjective, not intrinsic by definition.  Nothing has intrinsic 'value', they only have instrinic 'properties'.  No scientist will ever grind gold up and find the 'intrinsic value particles'.  If the 'value' of a good or labor was intrinsic then we would not need economics or markets, prices would be fixed and not need to be discovered.  The foundation of economics, the supply and demand curve, would not be needed.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:28 | 6437299 squid
squid's picture

First of all, this:

"In recent years, the governments of the US (in 2010), Canada (in 2013) and the EU (in 2014) have passed bail-in legislation, allowing the confiscation of deposits in bank accounts. When confiscation does occur, I believe it will happen without warning, as it did in Cyprus. One day, you wake up and your money is gone. What can you do? Nothing. It’s legal."

 

Was completely unneccessary. Banking law precitdent ALREADY stated that depositors are unsecured creditors to the bank....PERIOD. No additional legislation was required. Once you put your money in the bank, it ain't yours no more. Its not even a bilment, its a loan to the bank by you. And YOU, dear depositor, are on the lowest rung of the ladder to get any money back...you are below:

Bond holders.

Preferred share holders,

normal share holders,

depositors.

 

Number 4 at the bottom.

 

This has always been so, the legislation was not required.

 

:)

Squid

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:04 | 6437397 knukles
knukles's picture

Exactamundo!
Why else in the world was the FDIC created?  To make sure that everybody who had an insured deposit would be covered, post depression experience.  Any amounts in excess thereof, it's bye bye.  If you've a non-insured account, it's likely gone if there's a melt down.  Unsecured creditor.
Same thing, BTW, as top notch commercial paper in MMMF's.  Unsecured promissory notes, same with jumbo CD's.
And everybody thinks they're just fine and dandy.

This brouhaha over bail-ins is borne of either ignorance or just plain fear porn.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:17 | 6437427 Herodotus
Herodotus's picture

Have you checked the balances that the FDIC has on hand?  Is it enough to cover all deposits in all banks up to the insured amount?  HARDLY!  When this thing blows, all the banks will fail.  Neither the FDIC or anyone else can cover such an event.  They don't even have enough on hand to cover the failure of one of the big banks....Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi, BofA, etc.  Dont' kid yourself.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:31 | 6437457 bid the soldier...
bid the soldiers shoot's picture

 

The FDIC is a member of SPR

(Special Printing Rights)

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:43 | 6437496 Latitude25
Latitude25's picture

Exactly.  They'll follow Greece and not say they're confiscating your deposits but they just won't let you pull out what you want, when you want.  You'll look at your digital balance and say WTF.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:24 | 6437629 logicalman
logicalman's picture

How do you spell underfunded........

FDIC.

Couldn't cover a banking hicough, never mind the death of a bank.

The illusion of security.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:06 | 6437547 Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill's picture

You're missing the point knuks. The bail in laws were passed to take depositers out of the FDIC type schemes.Shareholders do not qualify.You're sol for any money in the bank.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:29 | 6437303 optimator
optimator's picture

You can think and ponder that queston for hours, and you'll always come back to physical gold in a variety of shapes and measures from coins to bullion.  Property?  Think Tax, and remember they can take it for any excuse they want, but of course pay you for it......with fiat.  Other than that store anything that doesn't have an expiration date on it.   I still look at the price of razor blades in shock.....but I purchased a lifetime supply a decade ago, great investment.  Think honey, the one food that never expries.  

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:34 | 6437316 JohninMK
JohninMK's picture

Then there are those cheap cigarette lighters. Very good for trading. Everyone will need a source of fire.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:16 | 6437372 Latitude25
Latitude25's picture

In my travels through remote Pacific islands the things in demand were cigarettes, booze, epoxy and glues, fish hooks, 22lr and 12 ga slugs, playboy magazines, stainless steel hardware, electronics and electrical repair, canned food, womens and babies clothing.  Traded a fifth of $1 Barbados rum for an entire yellowfin tuna already dried into jerky.

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 09:26 | 6438701 madcows
madcows's picture

tuna jerky? 

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:27 | 6437635 logicalman
logicalman's picture

I got around the razor blade thing.

I have had a beard for 35 years.

I do, however, have one of these, should I ever need it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w1IxGeVNow

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:33 | 6437312 piratepiet2
piratepiet2's picture

Poverty is a state of mind.

(Also) invest in your education.  Nobody will easily take that from you. 

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:38 | 6437328 Miffed Microbio...
Miffed Microbiologist's picture

As long as you are not referring to the institutional type of indoctrination which is a ludicrous expensive sham.

Miffed

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:33 | 6437653 logicalman
logicalman's picture

I think what you refer to is 'schooling' not education.

When my kids were younger I told them that they had to go to school (I had to earn enough to buy off the ex so no way to home school) where they would be 'schooled'

They were educated in any place I could teach them something useful.

Both my kids are creative, critical thinkers, likely because I've always asked difficult questions and encouraged creativity.

 

 

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 05:20 | 6438261 piratepiet2
piratepiet2's picture

Given my personal situation, if you knew me, the above would actually sound silly coming from my mouth.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:34 | 6437318 Chuck Knoblauch
Chuck Knoblauch's picture

In a hole I dug outside my local IRS office.

 

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:11 | 6437413 Herodotus
Herodotus's picture

That would be the last place they would look!

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:35 | 6437321 Atomizer
Atomizer's picture

Let the robot with a power harness collect your personal belongings. As he clumsily makes its get away. Unload the gun clip. Casually pick up your belongings.

We really won't waste time killing the robots and drones, just the investors and computer controlled operators behind the robots. That's how you snuff out the expansion. FYI 

 

 

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:35 | 6437322 piratepiet2
piratepiet2's picture

I once heard that poverty is a state of mind.

 

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:55 | 6437371 Big Corked Boots
Big Corked Boots's picture

Probably from someone who had lots of money.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:35 | 6437469 ToSoft4Truth
ToSoft4Truth's picture

Everything is perception and illusion.

Some people have been prepping since the 1951 short film, “Duck and Cover”. 

Listen to Bert –

Duck And Cover (1951) Bert The Turtle Civil Defense Film

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKqXu-5jw60

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:39 | 6437334 Rusty Shorts
Rusty Shorts's picture

Cuba!! lol

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:44 | 6437346 Atomizer
Atomizer's picture

John Kerry states that he feels at home. 

LOL 

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:49 | 6437357 Latitude25
Latitude25's picture

Hey that's an idea.  Who would think to look for PMs in socialist paradise that's been impoverished for years?

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:41 | 6437340 Manipuflation
Manipuflation's picture

Well, you can do what I am doing and that is stacking PM's when I can and I have the guns and ammo and some vehicles.  I'm not sure what else I can do other than keep on stacking.  I am ready.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:44 | 6437498 Stormtrooper
Stormtrooper's picture

You might want some water too. Three days without and someone will step over your body to pickup some easy PMs.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:48 | 6437353 Latitude25
Latitude25's picture

Yeah I hear ya.  Have a nice stash in S America and only me and the wife know where it is.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:58 | 6437381 booboo
booboo's picture

The only way two people can keep a secret is if one of them is dead. Just saying, her and the pool boy know now, check your six.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:06 | 6437396 Latitude25
Latitude25's picture

Naw.  She's not fucking the pool boy.  Plus she worked for the central bank during a crisis hyperinflation and she was taking in wheelbarrow loads of cash in exchange for a few new bills.  She knows where this is going and who will come out looking good in the end.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:14 | 6437593 TalkToLind
TalkToLind's picture

Wow, so she has already seen things that gum chewing, tattooed Muricans are taught "could never happen here". Sounds like she's a keeper.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:25 | 6437632 Latitude25
Latitude25's picture

Yes and yes

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:52 | 6437362 matinee55
matinee55's picture

No doubt their will be a "jubilee" so go as heavy in debt as you can get, just like the winners of the last 7 years who where bailed out by senior / savers!   Students are next in the money printing bonanza

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:53 | 6437366 Atomizer
Atomizer's picture

Kerry Says Cuba Feels Like Home while Castro ...

I enjoy hearing the other side of White House bullshit. 

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:54 | 6437369 q99x2
q99x2's picture

Buy Bitcoin and store it in your brain. Last Price $257

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:12 | 6437419 Deathstar
Deathstar's picture

SHIT COINS!!!!!

Where's foneystar???? (He said it would never go below 500)

LMAO

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:53 | 6437531 DaddyO
DaddyO's picture

Just mention his name and he will appear in what ever incarnation he's currently trolling as...

Bitcoin sure has left a fleeced feeling on a lot of people though, not sure why so many continue to push the whole charade.

DaddyO

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:02 | 6437574 Trucker Glock
Trucker Glock's picture

$257?  I'm in, if I can find a 3x leveraged ETF!

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 19:58 | 6437379 Latitude25
Latitude25's picture

Another thing to consider when storing PMs offshore is how much the residents of that country recognize and value them.  Very important when you want to exchange them for other things.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:37 | 6437664 logicalman
logicalman's picture

Another thing to consider when storing PMs offshore is can you get to the same shore as your metal is stored on?

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:02 | 6437391 kchrisc
kchrisc's picture

"From Crisis To Confiscation - Where Do I Store My Wealth?"

God*, Gold, Guns, Grub, and Ground.

Liberty is a demand. Tyranny is submission.

 

*If so inclined. Not an endorsement or an inducement.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:11 | 6437414 Deathstar
Deathstar's picture

NO, Not real estate. It is a liability.

You NEVER truly own it. You pay RENT to the GOV who can legally steal it from you if you do not pay your masters.

GOLD BITCHEZ!
It's everywhere you want to be. -TM
...and no ones-lie-a-bill-a-ty -TM

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:31 | 6437458 wendigo
wendigo's picture

I own many things. Some of them, such as my stack and my house, could be considered to be expensive. However, while I value them, they are not my most prized possessions.

The only thing I own that is of any lasting value is my integrity. It has never been sold or compromised. Should I lose everything else and end up living on the streets, it will suck but I will still have my pride. I will still own the only thing that really matters.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:40 | 6437488 Stormtrooper
Stormtrooper's picture

You better understand that if the USSA is on the verge of collapse, the DC syndicate will bail in the Caymen Islands, Bahamas and all the rest at the point of a gun. Best bet is to develop well armed communities that have a chance of protecting their own.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:45 | 6437500 tarabel
tarabel's picture

 

 

We are entering a period of universal madness. Anyone who thinks that someone else is a safer, more reliable custodian of their worldly goods than themselves is already infected.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:57 | 6437542 bid the soldier...
bid the soldiers shoot's picture

Wow.

I thought you said "universal matress' and I thought to myself "tarabel is really losing it.  She's gonna try to get her big asset under a matress instead of on top of it."

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:51 | 6437518 Able Ape
Able Ape's picture

All my wealth is tied up in Beanie Babies, thousands and thousands of them....

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:09 | 6437583 Trucker Glock
Trucker Glock's picture

But do you have them distributed internationally?  

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 22:24 | 6437775 e_goldstein
e_goldstein's picture

I'm quite fond of my pet rocks. 

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 01:34 | 6438110 bid the soldier...
bid the soldiers shoot's picture

Hey, do you have a Beanie Baby that's a Negro man with patches on his hobo clothes and a stick and bindle over his shoulder?

It's the rare Hoboma Beanie Baby.

Oh, I shouldn't have told you

Drat

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 20:51 | 6437519 bid the soldier...
bid the soldiers shoot's picture

Let's say you live in England and you move some of your assets to Beijing and some to Moscow.  

One morning you wake up and the media informs you that you now live in Oceania, which has always been at war with Eastasia (Beijing) or Eurasia (Moscow).

And that capital controls have been enacted and your ATM withdrawals are limited to 10 pounds a week with a maximum of 400 pounds a year.

Then think you back on these jolly days, replying to your buddies here and laughing at newsoutlet.

I'll have another Victory Gin, please.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:09 | 6437585 dsty
dsty's picture

invest upward

were there is neither theif or corruption

everything else is perishable

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:33 | 6437652 coast
coast's picture

I do have silver....in an earlier post I talked about confiscation...first of all, who are you going to sell your silver to during this world financial crisis?  A coin dealer?  the ones that have had laws hit them just over the last few years?   They say its to prevent people from stealing, but they just want records.  And where do the coin dealers get their money from?   the banks?  I dont know ok? I am just trying to figure this out.   I have my land and grub..all paid for.

I just wonder if gold and silver owners have really thought this thru.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:40 | 6437675 logicalman
logicalman's picture

Ag & Au are not a guarantee of anything, but both look better than paper.

 

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 22:19 | 6437763 Latitude25
Latitude25's picture

Yup.  Already learned from my grandparents.  During the depression anything was tradable for anything.  My grandfather exchanged dental work for real estate.  My grandmother saved every scrap of gold from fillings she could get and traded them for nearly everything.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 23:07 | 6437875 DirkDiggler11
DirkDiggler11's picture

Ok, if you have food and land, then start buying guns and ammo or your food and land won't last long. Throw in some whiskey and you have pretty decent diversification, even if you aren't a fan of Gold and Silver.

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 05:14 | 6438259 Deathstar
Deathstar's picture

Every time I hear "Land" I wonder how much those who tout land really thought it out. Land is a liability, it is illiquid in bad times and can be taken at the whim of GOV (or those with more/larger bullets than you). (Historical facts) Hope it works out for ya but I don't like to take ANY chances on anyone taking what I have worked for.

Metals are a highly liquid anywhere in the world and mobile store of wealth and no one said that you have to store them anywhere the gov or sheeple can get at them. Nice thing about them, if you do it "correctly" NO ONE can take them from you.

Yes, we thought this through and there are better ways but you have to research and plan ahead. That is all I will safely submit.

Land will be taxed to oblivion and can easily be taken from you if you don't pay rent(taxes) to your masters(gov).

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:41 | 6437678 Government need...
Government needs you to pay taxes's picture

Land (as in land we live on every day) is a big bet for us.  We've got minimal PM, but as I get into year 4 of disaster prep, PM is something I'd like some more of.  Holding international assets are great and appropriate risk-diversification strategies for mild-moderate negative scenarios.  For worst case scenarios, they wont be helpful in the hours of greatest need. That's why I've chosen the domestic-only plan.  If I must get my family to the coast and find overseas passage during a SHTF scenario, we've reached a point where .gov has commenced mass round-ups/murders.  In that scenario, we might still just stay put and aim to rack up a good score on our proverbial way out the door.  When it goes south, we're gonna pull out the weapons, secure our perimeter, and get really quiet.  We have a motorized and non-motorized travel plan to a (yet) more rural safe house.  Travelling over distance will likely be quite dangerous, so we're not planning on it unless there is a clear and present danger which the perceived risk/reward suggets evasion rather than confrontation. I believe local human relationship networks are vastly undervalued in extreme circumstances.  I've got 2 businesses where my clients are 100% local, and I provide them with a valuable daily input.  Think about how important the global supply chain is to your lifestyle (gas for your car, food for your table, info from your internet).  If the supply chain breaks down (or is locked down), is your contingency plan viable, and how robust is that plan?  If you think you'll be the first to read about the impending break-down on your bloomberg terminal, upon which you'll punch in <fly><go> and book the next OUS flight from LaGuardia, you might be in for a surprise. . .

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:52 | 6437698 Deathstar
Deathstar's picture

NO, Not real estate. It is a liability.

You NEVER truly own it. You pay RENT to the GOV who can legally steal it from you if you do not pay your masters.

GOLD BITCHEZ!
It's everywhere you want to be. -TM
...and no ones-lie-a-bill-a-ty -TM

Trying to fit yer house on a plane when you have to GTFO of USSA will be funny to watch.

SHTF?
Yes, the planes will still fly,
...and the boats will still float.
A house won't pay yer way across the river Styx to get away from the demons in this country, Gold will.

Take that to the bank.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 22:03 | 6437721 Government need...
Government needs you to pay taxes's picture

You are incorrect.  Land can be used to generate cash flow and provide large groups of people with life-sustaining essentials.  Gold cannot do this continuously.  Anyone interested in taking land from you has to put themselves in the line of fire to do so . . . continuously.  They can come for your gold, put themselves in the line of fire for 10 minutes, and then take that gold off to a secure location.  I disagree, if there is a LARGE dislocation/breakdown/lockdown and .gov survives, the planes WILL NOT FLY, and the BOATS WILL NOT LEAVE.

You are the guy who thinks gold will buy you anything in such a scenario.  Use it to buy yourself some perspective.

 

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 04:57 | 6438250 Deathstar
Deathstar's picture

You're a man of bravado and misled expectations. I have seen it too many times.

A matter of being correct is from the perspective of how you want to live your life if the SHTF in the USSA. If you want to dodge bullets from empowered niggers, out of control cops/military and EBT abusers, by all means. You should read some first hand accounts of what the Argentinians went through in day to day life when they experienced a similarity of what is coming. I choose to do some more schooling in a safer location and mitigate chances of lead poisoning and zombies pouring through the back door at 3.47AM on some random day.

Gold and silver for bribery.. and when your land gets taxed to oblivion (or when your tenants stiff ya on water bills and rent because they have no jobs) you'll have a different perspective on what I saying. Good luck with your plan but there's much cheaper places to live.

You can't insured secure ship or stick your house in your pocket. The remainder of heavy metals gets shipped overseas.

It is very obvious that you have never traveled.
It is very obvious you have not studied human nature and history either.

Good luck with your plan, i'll be smiling on the beach 1/2 way around the world wishing ya well. I am not going to argue with ya, you'll learn in due time. I made some calls back in 1992 that are just now coming to fruition. I know whats coming and what to do. (I used to have a T.S. clearance in D.C.) I've been in much worse places than you.

Good luck with your "insight" but but you are lacking "foresight". :)

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:47 | 6437687 TalkToLind
TalkToLind's picture

If your boat's "in a state of poor repair", gimme a +1.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 22:28 | 6437781 e_goldstein
e_goldstein's picture

We still need to start a yacht club.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 21:51 | 6437695 KashNCarry
KashNCarry's picture

I invest in lead now... ((Boating accidents aside))

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 22:01 | 6437717 enloe creek
enloe creek's picture

Still hear people talking bout staying put. What kinda. Insane plan is that. You will be overran in no time.  The whole country will be like the fall of Saigon except they are not taking you off the roof top.  You just bury your gold deep and plan to come back for it in a few years. Til then you will be a displaced. Population. Probably on foot and most likely in a make shift camp with strangers.  Or running for your lives.  Have non of you read of the zetas in the US. How would you like to put mom and the kids up against that shit.  You just get some good wool socks and hikers plus good rain gear and some Sawyer squeeze water filters and go out I. The country.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 22:29 | 6437783 Vlad the Inhaler
Vlad the Inhaler's picture

The best thing to have, worth a million times it's weight in gold and guns, is a second passport.   

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 23:10 | 6437885 DirkDiggler11
DirkDiggler11's picture

And where do you intend to go Vlad ?

I will ride it out in the mountains of Southwest Virginia. Molon Labe

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 01:03 | 6438067 BustainMovealota
BustainMovealota's picture

Ahhh,  Come and take it

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 04:34 | 6438245 Deathstar
Deathstar's picture

Why tempt fate in what has become the kikes playground to dominate the goy? I'm going to asia to ride out the idiocy with pretty girls and cheap beer. Fuck the shylocks and their minions. They'll get some lead poisoning too when it all starts to fly. I hear it is good for straightening out hook-noses.

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 01:37 | 6438123 bid the soldier...
bid the soldiers shoot's picture

that must be the one with the more acceptable photo.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 23:07 | 6437871 KingOfMilwaukee
KingOfMilwaukee's picture

Real estate will be a big FAIL.

As Martin Armstrong points out, the government can simply tax it to pay for its bills. Another form of "bail in." 

Chicago is considering a 50% increase in real estate taxes to pay for its government pensions. 

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 23:55 | 6437963 numapepi
numapepi's picture

The article said "International" not US real estate.

Mon, 08/17/2015 - 23:41 | 6437938 Dragon HAwk
Dragon HAwk's picture

I had some Gold.. but you know hookers and politicians are expensive...

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 07:46 | 6438421 headhunt
headhunt's picture

I thought Politicians were Hookers.

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 00:04 | 6437974 numapepi
numapepi's picture

Real diversification is in chickens, a milk cow or two, land for a garden, ammo and the knowledge to use and protect them.

Show up someplace and pass a gold coin for anything, and dozens of hoodlums will show up at your door that night, to take it from you. Silver might be a better bet but that will draw attention too, less attention to be sure, but unwanted attention none the less.

Be self sufficient, hidden, have a bit of land and fences around you to buffer the starving masses, (or zombies) and enough ammo to protect it... and your family might survive an EMP.

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 00:33 | 6438027 Ms No
Ms No's picture

One problem with trying to run from this global financial/war catastophe is that if you do happen to find a place that is free of Mad Max 5.0 it is most likely that THEY will be there also.  Where can you go... New Zealand?  The Queen owns that rock and remember "it is a big club and you aint in it".  Worse case scenario they may gut you and throw your entrails at the base of the stone owl, best case scenario your surrounded by them, clearly neither are good options.  This is global, there may not be any running this time.

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 06:00 | 6438276 overqualified
overqualified's picture

Beans, Bullion, Bullets, and Bitcoin

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 07:43 | 6438415 Backtable
Backtable's picture

Beans, bacon, bourbon, bullion, bullets, and cigars. 

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 07:43 | 6438416 Backtable
Backtable's picture

Beans, bacon, bourbon, bullion, bullets, and cigars. 

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 08:42 | 6438565 TongueStun
TongueStun's picture

When they come for my stack, I'm going to give them some lead too. I'v pretty much resigned myself to being taken out in a firefight.

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 08:45 | 6438580 Mick Shrimpton
Mick Shrimpton's picture

Don't forget condoms!

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 18:23 | 6441017 Master Toms Dog
Master Toms Dog's picture

Invest in yourself.  I recommend cybernetic implants (although mine were paid for by DARPA).  Your squandered tax dollars at work.

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 21:41 | 6441881 mkhs
mkhs's picture

I thought of diversifing internationally, but I got hungry and spent it all on a pizza.

 

*Stolen from another poster.

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